JACKS DROP SEESAW BATTLE WITH ICERAYS 4-3 IN OVERTIME

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Jacks came into action on Saturday, dropping their first three contests of the season against the Corpus Christi IceRays. Robin Johansson was given an opportunity to redeem himself after a tough outing Friday night in which he was pulled in the first period, but returned to action later on in the first period. The IceRays came back with Andrew Lindgren, who watched from the bench on Friday night. The Jackalopes knew they were going to need to be much better in the first period if they wanted to win their first road game in the past nine games.

The Jacks pressured the IceRays goal early in the hockey game, but Lindgren was very strong, thwarting all Jackalopes bids in the first. The IceRays took a 1-0 lead at 8:34 on a backhand effort from Ryan Cusin (KOO-sin). The Jacks continued to buzz the IceRays goal, but Lindgren had the answer. At 17:35, Connor Bucis (BUTCH-is) scored his second goal of the series on a deflection of a point shot by Pierre Crinon. It was 2-0 IceRays after one period and the Jacks were outshot 9-7 in the first.

In the second, the Jacks had one of their better periods in quite some time. They outshot the IceRays 18-8, but it was the IceRays who got out to a 3-0 lead at 11:33. Anthony Cortese (core-TEHZ) scored his eighth goal of the year on a shot from the right circle. The Jacks were finally rewarded for their hard work in the second period at 17:45 when Lane Valimont fired a shot from the point that was tipped by Leo Lumm, and Alex Alger put in the rebound to get the Jacks on the board. Alger is on fire as of late. Alger has scored three goals in his past three games dating back to Tuesday’s game versus the Wichita Falls Wildcats. The Jacks headed into the third, trailing 3-1.

In the third, the Jacks got a little puck luck at 6:38 when Chad Guderian shot the puck from a sharp angle on the right wing that deflected in off a Corpus Christi Defenseman. The Jacks had cut the lead to one goal at 3-2. With under one minute remaining in the third, Pierre Crinon was whistled for a slash on Kenny Hausinger. The Jacks pulled their goal to get an extra attacker on the ice to gain a 6 on 4 advantage. Christian Hausinger set up Drew McLean for a one-time shot that was block and the puck came free to Kenny Hausinger, who buried the puck behind Lindgren at 19:36.

In overtime, IceRays leading scorer Wes Michaud broke behind the Jacks defense and was pulled down by Jake Hamilton, resulting in a penalty shot. Michaud went in Robin Johansson and snuck a backhand through the legs of the Jacks goalie. The IceRays took the extra point in the contest and beat the Jacks, 4-3 in overtime.

“No doubt in my mind it was our best road game of the season,” said Jacks Head Coach Greg Gatto. “It was a great gut-check, character builder to battle back from three goals down to tie the game late in the third. Hopefully we can build on this going back home this weekend.”

The Jacks head home to play the Wichita Falls Wildcats this Friday and Saturday night at the Ector County Coliseum. It’s Military Awareness Weekend. The Jacks will be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game on Saturday night. Tickets for the games start as low as $8 and can be purchased at the Ector County Coliseum Box Office, by phone (432) 552-7825, or online at http://www.jackalopes.org.

In 2014-15, the Odessa Jackalopes will embark upon their fourth season in the North American Hockey League and 18th in the Permian Basin. Season tickets are on sale now! To reserve your seats, contact the Jackalopes’ ticket office today at 432-552-7825 or log on to www.jackalopes.org for more information.

Be sure to follow the Jackalopes on Twitter @LetsGoJacks all year long and don’t forget to ‘Like’ the official “Odessa Jackalopes” fan page on Facebook.